UIndy groups offer spiritual mentoring
Two Christian mentoring groups on campus aim to make an impact in students’ lives. Salt N Light and The Peak are female and male faith-based mentoring groups, respectively.
Ryan Brock, now a UIndy alumnus, originally formed The Peak for his honors project. According to junior religion major and chapel steward of men’s mentoring Cory Unthank, Brock saw a need on campus for men to gather and share their journey.
Unthank also thinks that The Peak has grown to become a very successful part of McCleary Chapel Ministries. The group has scheduled monthly meetings as well as impromptu meetings following chapel services every other Thursday night. They also provide one-on-one mentoring for those who are interested. Their next monthly meeting will be on at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in UIndy Hall B.
The Peak’s message comes from 1 Timothy 6:11-12. The verse mentions men of God fleeing from unnecessary things to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith and love. The verse goes on to encourage a sharing of testimonies.
Unthank said that the men strive to keep each other strong in their faith, mirroring the message on which their group is based.
“There is a need for men to step up and really answer to the calling that we see in the word,” Unthank said. “We are a group seeking to answer that call, hold each other accountable to it, to be completely open and honest when we don’t answer to it or when we’re struggling with it and to be intentional about it together.”
The counterpart to The Peak is Salt N Light. Senior English teaching major and co-chapel steward of women’s mentoring, Kori Martin, said Salt N Light is a group for women of God to gather to gain friendships and sisters. The group has two aspects: scheduled meetings once a month and one-on-one mentoring for those who express interest. Their next monthly meeting will be at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, in UIndy Hall C.
The name Salt N Light comes from Matthew 5:13-16. The verse encourages people to be themselves, and draws a comparison to salt of the earth. The verse also says that you are the light of the world and you should not hide; you should let your light shine.
Martin said that the close relationships she has gained from Salt N Light are essential to her life at UIndy, and she encourages female students to share in the community and positive light of Jesus. Martin said that she has grown through her experiences with her sisters in Christ and has many new friendships through Salt N Light.
“Salt N Light has given me a community on campus that I trust. A community grounded in Christ that I know I can go to with everything and anything if I need to,” Martin said.
